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Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2, Apr - Oct).

Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The standard two-pin European style plugs are used.

Money: The official currency is Zloty (PLN), divided into 100 groszy.
Poland still uses cash more frequently than visitors might expect,
and it is sometimes difficult to use credit cards in remote areas.
Credit cards are, however, accepted in places frequented by
tourists. ATMs or Bankomats are available in major towns
and cities. Money (preferably US Dollars or Euros) can be exchanged
in the cities and larger towns at banks, hotels or bureaux de
change called 'kantors', which offer the best rates. Banks are open
Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and some are open on Saturday
until 1pm.

Currency Exchange Rates

PLN 1.00 =

AUD 0.37

CAD 0.35

EUR 0.23

NZD 0.39

GBP 0.20

USD 0.27

ZAR 3.57

Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.

Language: The national language is Polish; however, English is widely understood in tourist areas.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days
within a 180 day period. Passports must be valid for three months
beyond period of intended stay.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passports endorsed 'British Citizen', 'British Subject',
'British Overseas Territories Citizen', and Identity Cards issued
by Gibraltar must be valid for the duration of intended stay.
British passports with any other endorsement must be valid for
three months beyond period of intended stay. Visas are not required
for British Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens,
British Subjects, and those with Identity Cards issued by
Gibraltar. Those with any other endorsement in their passports can
stay in the country visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180 day
period.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to 90
days within a 180 day period. Passports must be valid for three
months beyond period of intended stay.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport valid for at least three months
beyond period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up
to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African passport holders require a visa for travel to
Poland. Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond
period of intended stay.

Entry requirements for New Zealand nationals: New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for at least
three months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is not
needed for up to 90 days within a 180 day period.

Passport/Visa Note: A passport valid for at least three months after period of
intended stay is needed for those who require a visa. Generally,
visa exempt nationals must have a passport valid for period of
intended stay (other than EEA nationals). The borderless region
known as the Schengen area includes the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and
Switzerland. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa
that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel
freely within the borders of all.

Travel Health: There are few health risks associated with travel to Poland.
Those visiting forested areas are advised to seek medical advice
about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis, and take tick bite
prevention measures due to the presence of Lyme disease.
Vaccinations may be recommended for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and
typhoid, although those eating only in restaurants and hotels can
safely disregard the typhoid vaccination.
Poland has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU
countries, whose citizens are entitled to low-cost emergency
medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance
Card (EHIC), but full health insurance cover is still advised.
Medical facilities and standards of health care are good, but not
many nurses or doctors speak English. If you take prescription
medication along, be sure to bring a signed and dated letter from a
doctor detailing what it is and why it is needed.

Tipping: Tipping is expected in restaurants in Poland and 15 percent is
the standard for good service. In restaurants, when your bill is
collected, saying 'thank you' signals to the waiter/waitress that
they can keep the change. Tipping is not the norm in hotels across
Poland, but taxis, tours and spas generally expect no less than 10
percent tip for good service.

Safety Information: Tourists should be alert to the risk of robbery in tourist areas
in large cities in Poland, particularly in the vicinity of hotels,
markets and banks. Vigilance against theft should also be exercised
at central railway stations, as well as on overnight long distance
trains, and when travelling on public transport between Warsaw's
Frederic Chopin Airport and central Warsaw.
Avoid walking alone at night. Tourist sites, areas near big
hotels, money exchange facilities and ATMs are popular with
thieves. Having said that, visits to Poland are usually trouble
free, and the precautions travellers should take are merely the
safety measures advised for cities all over the world.

Local Customs: Family is incredibly important and Polish people may often rely
very heavily on their close-knit inner circles - as a result,
outsiders may often be treated at first with caution. Jay-walking
is an offence in Poland, and is punishable with a fine. Public
drunkenness is frowned upon: police will take drunk people to
drying out clinics until sober and the person will be charged for
the stay.

Business: Poland has an interesting mix of the old and the new, and this
is apparent in the business world too. Women can expect a kiss on
the hand rather than a handshake from the older generation and one
can expect to be warmly offered drinks during meetings; it is
impolite to refuse. Although the Polish are hospitable and
friendly, business is still conducted formally. Punctuality is
important, dress should be formal and conservative (a suit and tie
are the norm) and business cards are exchanged. Use titles and last
names unless otherwise indicated. English is widely spoken, though
attempting some basic Polish phrases will be appreciated. Business
hours in Poland are traditionally 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and
lunch breaks are not a given as they are often unpaid.

Communications: The international access code for Poland is +48. Pre-paid sim
cards can be bought in order to avoid international roaming fees,
and internet cafés and wifi are available in most towns.

Duty free: Travellers to Poland over 17 years, arriving from non-EU
countries, do not have to pay duty on 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars
or 250g tobacco; 1 litre wine and 1 litre spirits; cosmetics and
medicines for personal use; gifts up to the value of €175.
Travellers to Poland arriving from within the EU do not have to pay
duty on 800 cigarettes or 200 cigars or 1kg smoking tobacco; 10
litres spirits, 90 litres wine and 110 litres beer. Prohibited
items include birds and poultry arriving from countries infected
with avian influenza. The export of all articles of artistic,
historic or cultural value are subject to special regulations.